Sexual harassment – crash landing in court: club president convicted

For more than a year now, the cause of allegations against the Union sport pilot group Ybbs, based at St. Georgen Airport, has not only concerned the judiciary. As reported, a former flight instructor had made serious accusations against club members. These involved manipulated flight recordings, bullying and sexual harassment. The allegations were substantiated with tape recordings and testimony from a flight student. In return, the club filed a report against the flight instructor for attempted coercion. The 32-year-old was acquitted in the spring.

fine imposed
Now the tide has turned 180 degrees: in early November, the president of the Union sports pilot group was convicted of sexual harassment. The person concerned immediately appealed. When the planes disappeared into the hangar in the evening, it continued with boozy parties in the clubhouse. The entire board of directors knew about it. “Now the facts are finally on the table,” says the former flight instructor, who is relieved and is considering suing the officials for reputational damage or slander.

The fact that the club president remains at his post despite the conviction is not only a source of misunderstanding for the 32-year-old. However, on the part of the Sportunion Lower Austria, all functions (in line with the State Council) were suspended immediately after the allegations became known.

Appeal against judgment
“I am innocent. Otherwise I cannot say much about it at the moment,” the suspect explains to “Krone” when asked. At the end of February, the general meeting decides on his future fate in the club. Until then, he will remain in office.